R&D Engineer – Advanced Welding Materials & Processes (EI/EII)

General Dynamics Electric Boat•Groton, CT

About The Position

The Electric Boat Welding Engineering Advanced Concepts Team has multiple openings supporting research and development and production innovation, from project initiation through implementation on nuclear submarines. The recently formed group develops emerging and innovative research in welding materials, additive manufacturing, and process technologies, including robotic welding. Projects primarily involve welding metallurgy, advanced or novel material-process development, or both. The role interacts with other Electric Boat organizations, equipment and welding-consumable suppliers, the Navy customer, and national and international research laboratories and organizations. The position develops and follows through on projects that enhance submarine capabilities while ensuring technologies reliably meet or exceed Navy performance and quality requirements. Areas of focus include designing and developing welding materials, including additive manufacturing materials; controlling weld mechanical properties and cracking; assessing shipyard and procurement viability of welding consumables and advanced processes; characterizing weld metal and heat-affected-zone mechanical properties; and achieving consistent, repeatable weld quality. The team's work can influence the design and performance of next-generation submarines and classes already under construction. Projects may be long-term and involve interconnected technologies and requirements for service performance over the submarine's life. Typical work is approximately 30% laboratory observation and evaluation alongside developmental welders, and 70% analysis, test-plan and report writing, solution development, and problem adjudication. Attendance and presentations at conferences, technical meetings, and vendors may be needed for specific projects.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Metallurgy/Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Engineering (metals preferred to non-metallics), Welding Engineering, or an equivalent engineering field.
0–5 years of postgraduate engineering experience.
Ability to understand basic principles of welding and non-destructive testing.
Ability to read and interpret specifications, procedures, drawings, and other documents.
Ability to critically analyze problems and develop and implement solutions.
Ability to work as a team player and communicate with people at all levels.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
Ability to author test plans, technical reports, and other correspondence.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an industrial environment, shipbuilding, or other heavy fabrication.
Mechanical aptitude and hands-on laboratory experience.
Familiarity or experience with basic arc welding processes.
Prior project management experience, including taking an idea from initiation through implementation.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.
Basic familiarity with data analysis and the application of statistics and regression.
Familiarity with military and commercial specifications for welding and brazing procedure qualification and fabrication of pipe and structure, including Tech Pub 248, Tech Pub 1688, Tech Pub 278, AWS, and ASME.

Responsibilities

Investigate new or modified base materials with respect to welding, additive manufacturing, robotic welding, and fabrication effects.
Investigate or develop welding and additive manufacturing consumables for fabricating new or modified base materials.
Ensure newly developed welding consumables are suitable for procurement and shipyard operation, consistently attain weld-metal mechanical properties, and are free from cracking.
Conduct research and development investigations to develop and test structural fabrication processes, design concepts, procedures, and process consumables.
Investigate and characterize additive manufacturing technologies, and potentially qualify and implement them.
Conduct research and development to support design efforts, modify requirements, and provide methods for addressing metallurgical concerns with welds.
Evaluate developments in welding and additive manufacturing, including processes and equipment, for potential application to current welding problems or production processes.
Serve as project lead or technical lead on internally and externally funded development, process-improvement, and cost-reduction tasks.
Design test programs and prepare technical reports based on testing, research and development, and investigations.
Implement projects in the shipyard.
Attend and present at conferences, technical meetings, and vendors as needed for specific projects.